Median rent is 5% lower in Fort Lauderdale ($1,776/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Fort Lauderdale, where the median home runs $455,600 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $79,935 a year). Taken together, Fort Lauderdale is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 111.9 against 113.3 — about 1% lower overall prices.
Quick verdict
Fort Lauderdale is 1% cheaper overall
Cost index: 111.9 in Fort Lauderdale vs 113.3 in Los Angeles (US average = 100)
City A
Fort Lauderdale, FL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Fort Lauderdale, FL?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$75,928
You'd need $928 more (1% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Fort Lauderdale
Florida
Los Angeles
California
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,776/mo in Fort Lauderdale and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $455,600 in Fort Lauderdale — 48% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.30% — giving Fort Lauderdale a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Florida and 7.25% in California; Fort Lauderdale has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Fort Lauderdale
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Fort Lauderdale has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 77.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fort Lauderdale if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Pick Fort Lauderdale if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Fort Lauderdale cheaper than Los Angeles?
Fort Lauderdale is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 111.9 versus 113.3 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 1% lower in Fort Lauderdale.
How much is rent in Fort Lauderdale vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,776/mo in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Fort Lauderdale, FL has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $79,935 in Fort Lauderdale, FL and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Fort Lauderdale, FL has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 77.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles?
Florida has no state income tax. California has a top rate of 13.30%.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Fort Lauderdale income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Fort Lauderdale, FL is equivalent to roughly $101,237 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology